Buildings, Places, Stories: The HSF Blog

Historic Savannah Foundation is pleased to announce our new affordable housing initiative with the first of several projects in the Cuyler-Brownville Historic District.  On February 16th, HSF will break ground on our first rehabilitation at 607 W. 39th Street.  Donated to HSF in 2020, this modest 864 square foot house presents the Foundation with the opportunity to rehab a house and sell it to a first-time home buyer at an affordable price.

For over two years now, Historic Savannah has been working diligently, but quietly, to save the home of celebrated artist, educator, and activist, Virginia Jackson Kiah. The house, which has sat vacant for over 20 years since Kiah’s death, has long been the victim of neglect and an ongoing, slow-moving probate process.

633 E. Anderson in March 2020.Houses evolve over time.  The changing needs of a homeowner, not to mention their changing tastes, can often transform a house’s form and style in dramatic ways over the course of a century or more. In a historic home, some of those...

When one thinks of historic preservation in Savannah, it may be tempting to ask whether it is still relevant. After all, at least in four of Savannah’s historic districts, strong ordinances are in place to protect historic buildings from demolition or inappropriate alterations. Isn’t saving historic buildings the point? Aren’t they already saved?

The Davenport House attic has a remarkable expanse of old paint in a shade of blue that makes the space evocative. The space, we call the garret room, has been left unrestored. For the guests, who have the opportunity to see it, it is a highlight of their visit.

If you were at the Davenport House (DH) in mid-January you could not help but notice the activity. George Fore, renown architectural conservator, came to the site to conduct an assessment of the building as part of the on-going Davenport House/Kennedy Pharmacy Evolution campaign.

HSF Board member, Jeff Kole, recently donated a very special gift to the organization – a plaster replica of our flagship property, the Davenport House, dating back to the late 1930s.